the official newspaper of the archeparchy of pittsburgh
Inside
vol. 60 no. 9
sunday, july 5, 2015
clergy days
god bless america
pennsylvania rusyns
Annual event provides insights, information to better manage parish affairs Pages 4 & 5
Flag Day observances bring parishioners together to honor one nation under God Page 7
Decades-long project continues with goal of publishing comprehensive illustrated history Page 11
Bishops issue statements on encyclical, marriage ruling usccb president welcomes pope francis’ encyclical laudato si’
supreme court decision on marriage ‘a tragic error’ says usccb president
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, an assembly of Latin and Eastern Catholic hierarchs of the United States and U.S. Virgin Islands, jointly exercise certain pastoral functions on behalf of the Catholic faithful of the U.S.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court decision, June 26, interpreting the U.S. Constitution to require all states to license and recognize same-sex “marriage” “is a tragic error that harms the common good and most vulnerable among us,
WASHINGTON—Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), welcomed the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical on ecology, Laudato Si’, June 18. Read full statement on page 2.
especially children,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Read the USCCB president’s full statement on page 3.
Eleven decades celebrated
AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS!
hermitage parish finds joy in praying together, recalling 110 years of history
giorgio demetrio gallaro consecrated, enthroned as bishop of piana degli albanesi
On June 4, 1905 +Father Alexis Pastelyi celebrated the area’s first Greek Catholic Divine Liturgy in Bobby Hall, located on Idaho Street in Farrell, in a multi-community area of western Pennsylvania which borders Ohio. Fastforward 110 years to Sunday, June 7, 2015 as St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, now located in nearby Hermitage, Pa., marked the milestone with a grand celebration.
Former Judicial Vicar for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and Professor of Canon Law for the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril & Methodius Very Rev. George D. Gallaro has become enthroned as Bishop of Piana degli Albanesi near Palermo, Sicily (Italy). Events included Profession of Faith during Vespers of June 27 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Nicholas of the Greeks at the Martorana in Palermo and Episcopal Chirotonia (Consecration) at the Cathedral of St. Demetrius the Great-Martyr in Piana degli Albanesi on Sunday, June 28. In the presence of Cardinal Paolo Romero, Metropolitan Archbishop of Palermo, and the Christian People of the Eparchy, the Chirotonia was conferred by Most Rev. Donato Oliverio, Bishop of the Eparchy of Lungro, Most Rev. Nicholas Samra, Bishop of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton, and Most Rev. Dimitrios Salachas, Bishop of the Exarchate in Athens. In attendance were Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla, Protosyncellus Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich and
“The idea of having a celebration for our 110th anniversary,” relates parish pastor Father Kevin E. Marks, “was not only to acknowledge that ten years have passed since our centennial, but to once again pause to celebrate that we have a spiritual home where we can pray, worship, and grow in faith and love of God.” St. Michael Parish welcomed Metropolitan Archbishop 110 years continued on page 9
Michael J. Vasil
Metropolitan Archbishop William blesses the faithful during the June 7 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in observance of the 110th anniversary of the founding of St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church, Hermitage, Pa.
Bishop George D. Gallaro
Father James Hess, O.Carm. (Archeparchy of Pittsburgh); and Bishop Kurt Burnette (Eparchy of Passaic). Established over 500 years ago, Piana degli Albanesi is the episcopal see of the ItaloAlbanian Byzantine Catholic Church.
May God grant to his servant Bishop George Peace, Health and Happiness for many blessed years! AXIOS!
PAGE 2
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
Statement on the Occasion of the Promulgation of Laudato Si’ Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops __________________________________________________________
UPS 081500 ISSN 07442289 Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh Serving parish communities in central and western Pennsylvania, Louisiana, eastern Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia Published every third Sunday (17 issues) by: Byzantine Catholic Press Associates 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org Archbishop William C. Skurla President Sister Elaine Kisinko, OSBM Copy Editor Darlene Fejka Layout / Graphics Donna Obsincs Subscription/Circulation Manager Gregory S. Popivchak Business Manager Annual Subscription Rates US $12 Canadian $14 International $16 Periodicals Postage Paid at Pittsburgh, PA
Postmaster: send address changes to: The Byzantine Catholic World ATTN: Donna 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214
June 18, 2015 With an open heart and gratitude I, along with my brother bishops in the United States, welcome Laudato Si’. In this beautiful and extensive treatment on care for our common home, the Holy Father calls all people to consider our deep and intertwined relationships with God, our brothers and sisters, and the gifts that our Creator has provided for our stewardship. Drawing extensively from the teaching of his predecessors, the Pope teaches that care for the things of the earth is necessarily bound together with our care of one another, especially the poor. This interdependency extends from the deep respect due every human person to all living beings and to the earth where we make our home. “Each creature has its own purpose…and the entire material universe speaks of God’s love.”84 The Pope uses the term “integral ecology” to draw our attention to a rich treasury of thought that people of faith bring with them to conversations about the human person and our environment. He states, “We must regain the conviction that we need one another, that we have a shared responsibility for others and the world, and that being good and decent are worth it.”229 In Laudato Si’, the Holy Father invites us to reflect deeply on all points of human activity, whether we consider care for creation at the level of our individual choices or in the public square. The need for urgent action is clear and he appeals to us to become “painfully aware” of what is happening to the world and “to grow in solidarity, responsibility and compassionate care.”210 The Holy Father makes it clear that we were given the earth as a gift from our Creator. It is our responsibility to avoid contributing to a culture of acquisitiveness, individualism, or exploitation. Pope Francis repeatedly urges us to renewed and urgent action and honest dialogue about our environment – both social and ecological. “The human environment and the natural environment deteriorate together”48, both of which disproportionately affect our poorest brothers and sisters. Reflecting on inner city slums, lack of clean drinking water, and a consumerism mentality, Pope Francis asks “what kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us?”160 This question is at the heart of this encyclical and rightfully calls us all to work harder against the challenges the human family faces today. Genuine efforts to true dialogue will require sacrifice and the confronting of good faith disagreements, but let us be encouraged that at “the heart of this world, the Lord of life, who loves us so much, is always present. He does not abandon us … he has united himself definitively to our earth, and his love constantly impels us to find new ways forward.”245 May we help answer Pope Francis’ call in this encyclical, receiving his message and growing in responsibility towards the common home that God has entrusted to us all. Note: numbers are reflective of the paragraph numbers in Laudato Si’. Find resources on the topic and read what the U.S. bishops and previous popes have written about our environment. http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/environment/index.cfm
Please allow 2-3 weeks for address changes to take effect. Submissions deadline: 2nd Tuesday before publication date (12 days prior).
The Byzantine Catholic World is a member of the Catholic Press Association.
mission The mission of The Byzantine
Catholic World is to spread the Gospel message in the rich tradition of the Byzantine Catholic Church; to encourage faithful to reflect the image of Christ in everyday activities of life; to offer spiritual formation through changing times; and to celebrate community among Byzantine Catholics in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, throughout the Metropolitan Church in America, and around the world.
making a difference
The ‘green’ encyclical has arrived! by Tony Magliano
It’s courageous, it’s prophetic, it’s challenging, it’s holistic, it’s wond e r f u l : That’s what I think of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home.” Quoting his patron saint, Francis of Assisi – who is also the patron saint of ecology – Pope Francis begins his papal letter with a beautiful verse from the saint’s Canticle of the Creatures: “ ‘Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with colored flowers and herbs.’ “St. Francis of Assisi reminds us,” writes the pope, “that our common home is like a sister with whom we
share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us . . . “This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will.” Pope Francis explains, “Each year hundreds of millions of tons of waste are generated… The earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth.” Siding with 97 percent of climate scientists he says, “A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system” (visit http://climate.nasa.gov/ scientific-consensus/). The pope urgently calls for
the byzantine catholic world
worldwide conversion from the use of global warming fossil fuels – oil, coal, gas – to “clean renewable energy” found in wind, solar and geothermal. (visit Earth Policy Institute http://bit.ly/1JaEb9B). “Climate change … represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.” The Holy Father writes, “The warming caused by huge consumption on the part of some rich countries has repercussions on the poorest areas of the world, especially Africa, where a rise in temperature, together with drought, has proved devastating for farming … “Many of those who possess more resources and economic or political power seem mostly to be concerned with masking the problems or concealing Magliano continued on page 11
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
PAGE 3
NEWS from the USCCB Statement on the Supreme Court Decision on Marriage Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops _________________________________________________________ June 26, 2015 Regardless of what a narrow majority of the Supreme Court may declare at this moment in history, the nature of the human person and marriage remains unchanged and unchangeable. Just as Roe v. Wade did not settle the question of abortion over forty years ago, Obergefell v. Hodges does not settle the question of marriage today. Neither decision is rooted in the truth, and as a result, both will eventually fail. Today the Court is wrong again. It is profoundly immoral and unjust for the government to declare that two people of the same sex can constitute a marriage. The unique meaning of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is inscribed in our bodies as male and female. The protection of this meaning is a critical dimension of the “integral ecology” that Pope Francis has called us to promote. Mandating marriage redefinition across the country is a tragic error that harms the common good and most vulnerable among us, especially children. The law has a duty to support every child’s basic right to be raised, where possible, by his or her married mother and father in a stable home. Jesus Christ, with great love, taught unambiguously that from the beginning marriage is the lifelong union of one man and one woman. As Catholic bishops, we follow our Lord and will continue to teach and to act according to this truth. I encourage Catholics to move forward with faith, hope, and love: faith in the unchanging truth about marriage, rooted in the immutable nature of the human person and confirmed by divine revelation; hope that these truths will once again prevail in our society, not only by their logic, but by their great beauty and manifest service to the common good; and love for all our neighbors, even those who hate us or would punish us for our faith and moral convictions. Lastly, I call upon all people of good will to join us in proclaiming the goodness, truth, and beauty of marriage as rightly understood for millennia, and I ask all in positions of power and authority to respect the God-given freedom to seek, live by, and bear witness to the truth.
Statement on the Charleston Church shooting Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz Archbishop of Louisville, Kentucky President, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops June 19, 2015 It is with grief and deep sadness that we learned of the tragic murder of Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney and eight members of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. There have been far too many heartbreaking losses in the African-American community this year alone. Our prayers are with all those suffering from this heinous crime. We join our voices with civic and religious leaders in pledging to work for healing and reconciliation. Our efforts must address racism and the violence so visible today. As the U.S. Catholic Bishops said in our pastoral letter on racism, “Racism is not merely one sin among many; it is a radical evil that divides the human family and denies the new creation of a redeemed world. To struggle against it demands an equally radical transformation, in our own minds and hearts as well as in the structure of our society.” The Catholic community stands with all people who struggle for an end to racism and violence, in our families, in our places of worship, in our communities and in our world. We must continue to build bridges and we must confront racism and violence with a commitment to life, a vision of hope, and a call to action.
washington, d.c. www.usccb.org
U.S. Congress urged to protect creation support implementation of national carbon standard June 24, 2015 WASHINGTON — The chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, urged Congress to answer Pope Francis’ call to protect creation and oppose legislation and appropriation riders that would reverse efforts to develop a national standard to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants. “The U.S. bishops stand united with the Holy Father in his call to protect creation,” said Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami, in letters to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, June 24. Archbishop Wenski emphasized the importance of Pope Francis’ encyclical on ecology, Laudato Si’, released last week [June 18] where Pope Francis
“called on all people to care for God’s creation and our common home for the wellbeing of current and future generations.” “Our Conference has long spoken out on the importance of prudent action to address the growing impact of global climate change,” wrote Archbishop Wenski. “As government leaders, we ask you to resist any effort to impair the development of a national carbon standard and instead to support our nation’s ability to address this urgent global challenge confronting the human family.” His letter to Congress is available online at www.usccb. org/issues-and-action/humanlife-and-dignity/environment/ letter-to-congress-on-carbonstandards-2015-06-24.cfm
Spring General Assembly conference priorities, priestly formation among issues up for vote ST. LOUIS — The U.S. bishops, gathered for their annual Spring General Assembly [June 10-11], voted on and approved a draft of their priorities for the 2017-2020 strategic plan and the “Program of Priestly Formation, 5th edition.” In a 165-14-3 vote, the bishops approved a working draft of the Conference’s strategic priorities for their 2017-2020 planning cycle. Input shared by the bishops from the floor will be provided to the various committees as they write the final version. The resulting draft will be presented for approval by the full body of bishops at the November 2015 General Assembly. The priorities are: • • • • •
Family and marriage Evangelization Religious Freedom Human Life and Dignity Vocations and ongoing formation
The USCCB Committee on Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations sought the approval of the renewal of the recognitio granted to the “Program of Priestly Formation, Fifth Edition,” for an additional five-year period without any changes to the norms. The item was approved in a 179-1-1 vote. The “Program of Priestly Formation, Fifth Edition,” is the set of national norms issued by the USCCB and confirmed by the Vatican that govern the education and formation of seminarians as priests in the United States. These national norms are based upon the universal norms for priestly formation that come from the Holy See. The accreditation of each U.S. Catholic seminary is based upon these national norms. Approval of this item requires the majority vote of the members present and voting. Archbishop William was in attendance at the General Assembly.
the byzantine catholic world
PAGE 4
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
Clergy Days 2015 annual meeting held at cathedral by Darlene Fejka
Priests and deacons from across the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh attended the annual Presbyteral (Clergy) Days May 26-27 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. Although there is a pervasive spirituality present, the twoday convocation is primarily designed to provide parochial information and address administrative issues. Presenters and speakers for the conference included: • Updates by Jim Althans and Pam Courie of Althans Insurance, who provide parish property insurance, special events and liability coverage to parishes of the Archeparchy; • Updates by Bert Reimann and Ann Dicks of Employee Benefit Services, providers of healthcare coverage for clergy and lay employees of the Archeparchy; • Seminary faculty, staff, and program and updates by Dr. Sandee Collins, Library Director, Professor of Sacred Scripture, also Director of Media Outreach for the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of SS. Cyril and Methodius; • Father Dennis Bogda and Deacon Raymond Zadzilko reported on the responses received from the recent survey of the Archeparchy’s Diaconate; • “General Housekeeping” items were discussed by Protosyncellus Father Andrew J. Deskevich and the Archeparchy’s Financial Officer, Gregory Popivchak; • Special guest speaker Bishop Bohdan Danylo of the Ukrainian Eparchy of St. Josaphat (Parma, Ohio) presented “Vibrant Parishes,” an overview of the program and plan used in the Ukrainian Catholic Church worldwide to initiate an increase of membership and encourage current members to partake of the full life of the Church; • Amy Armanious, RN, DNP, MSOL presented “Care for
One Another,” an overview of Bethany Ministry and practical tips and solutions for finding and engaging pastoral resources to help parishioners overcome the difficulties they face; • Cathy Chromulak, General Counsel for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh presented one of the conference’s most intense sessions on the new laws regarding Protection of Children, mandatory reporting of abuse and the clergy’s prime role; • Special guest speaker Father Eugene Lauer, a semiretired priest of the Diocese of Pittsburgh who serves Prince of Peace Parish presented “Vatican II as accomplished through the ministry of Pope Francis,” and also related several humorous anecdotes about parish life and his own experiences in parishes as a young priest; • Metropolitan William conducted the final session of the conference, and gave results of the family survey which went out to all parishes in advance of the Synod on Family which will take place this fall. • A highlight of the conference was a special recognition dinner on Tuesday, May 26 to honor all clergy celebrating milestone anniversaries of ordination, and especially to bid farewell to Bishop-designate George D. Gallaro, who soon would leave his assignment of over 10 years to become Bishop of the ItaloAlbanian Eparchy of Piana degli Albanesi near Palermo, Sicily. A priest of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton, Father George served the Archeparchy as Judicial Vicar and Professor of Canon Law and Ecumenism at the Byzantine Catholic Seminary in Pittsburgh.
Clergy attend Divine Litrgy during the 2015 Clergy Days at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall, Pa. May 26-27.
Presbyteral (Clergy) Days is a prime opportunity for Archieparchial clergy to reconnect and network. Discussing the afternoon’s events are Father James Ragan (left) and Father John Kapetan, Jr.
Additional stories of interest regarding the presentations made at the 2015 Clergy Days will appear in future issues of The BCW.
The lower level of the Cathedral provided ample space for presentations and roundtable discussions during the two-day clergy event.
Then-Father George D. Gallaro delivers the homily at the May 26 Divine Liturgy.
the byzantine catholic world
Father Eugene Lauer presented “Vatican II as accomplished through the ministry of Pope Francis.”
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
PAGE 5
far left: Bishop Bohdan Danylo delivers his presentation. left: Bishop Bohdan chats with Father Valerian Michlik (left) and Father Andrew Deskevich. Presenters during the 2015 Clergy Days included (below, from far left): Jim Althans and Pam Courie of Althans Insurance Dr. Sandee Collins Deacon Raymond Zadzilko Attorney Cathy Chromulak Amy Armanious, RN, DNP, MSOL
Father Vasyl Polyak, Father Mykhaylo Farynets and Father Richard Lambert enjoy pre-dinner conversation at the Cathedral Center.
An award in recognition of his 50th anniversary of ordination to the Presbyterate was given by Archbishop William to Very Rev. Archpriest Eugene Yackanich.
Acting as sommelier was a favorite role for then-Father George Gallaro, who fills the glass of Father Ivan Mina as Father Don Bolls observes his expert technique. above right: Metropolitan Archbishop William with Bishop Bohdan Danylo. left: Archbishop William presents a certificate of appreciation to Bishop-designate George D. Gallaro, who was feted at a farewell dinner at the Cathedral Center following Tuesday’s Divine Liturgy (May 26). right: An emotional Bishop-designate George thanks his fellow clergy colleagues, expressing thanks for over 10 years of friendship and ministry together as he embarks on a new chapter in his own ministry as Bishop of Piana degli Albanesi. photos by Very Rev. Andrew Deskevich and Darlene Fejka
the byzantine catholic world
parish news PAGE 6
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
Cathedral fundraisers essential to parish life
Ready to take on the world hermitage parish honors its graduates
flea market, hoagie sale sponsored by cameo club In conjunction with their annual Flea Market on Saturday, June 6, the CAMEO Club of St. John Cathedral in Munhall, Pa. also held a “Famous Hoagie Sale.” Club members work assemblyline style to prepare the tasty sandwiches, which are prepared with fresh buns, wholesome meats, onions, lettuce and freshly sliced tomatoes. Patrons of the Flea Market can not only shop for treasures but also can walk away with a great summertime sandwich!
On Sunday, June 14, the high school and college graduates of St. Michael Church, Hermitage, Pa. were recognized and honored at the Divine Liturgy celebrated by parish pastor Father Kevin E. Marks. Each graduate was given a certificate, icon, and gift card on behalf of the parish and a social in their honor was held afterward in the church narthex. front: Anna Zrile, Matthew Sieracki, Thomas Wareham, Alyssa Hrishenko, Brianna Dzuricsko, servers Pete and John Sieracki. back: Bryson Stemock, servers Rick Ladjevich & Alex Hrishenko, Father Kevin, Tyler Wansack, Kurtis Kurtanich, server Ted Sieracki.
photos by Nick Havrilla, Sr.
photo by Michael J. Vasil
A roomful of items await Flea Market patrons before the opening bell.
Summer Kickoff BBQ st. gregory’s makes most of the season by Father Valerian Michlik
On a sunny Sunday morning, May 31, all was ready for this year’s Parish Summer Kickoff BBQ. Before we began the picnic we witnessed at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy the blessing of the cassock (anteri-podryasnik) of our deacon-candidate Robert Jones who will begin his studies for the diaconate at our Byzantine Catholic Seminary. This happy event started with the Talent Show during which we enjoyed the performances of some of our ECF students. You can view them on our St. Gregory YouTube channel: https:// www.youtube.com/user/StGregoryChurch. Following the blessing of the food we all enjoyed a delicious BBQ luncheon sponsored by the dedicated members of our St. Gregory’s Men Club. Good food, music, games were enjoyed by all who participated in this “Summer Kickoff.” photos by Jodi Lynn Nazak Hernandez
Wall-to-wall bargains at the spacious Cathedral Center in Munhall.
Blessing of the cassock-podryasnik . . . Folk singers Juliana & Kayla . . . Hannah’s Hula Hoop. Enjoying the talent show.
CAMEO Club members in their official T-shirts are ready to assist Flea Market patrons with their selections, including homemade baked goods.
One patron brought along his furry friend, who jokingly barked “Well, it IS a FLEA market, right? So, I came to make a donation!”
the byzantine catholic world
Future Pittsburgh Penguin Tyler demonstrated hockey tricks.
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
parish news
continued
PAGE 7
God and Country: Flag Day 2015 observed cathedral parish salutes old glory
flag duly honored in upper st. clair
MUNHALL, PA — Cathedral Rector Very Rev. Archpriest Dennis Bogda and photographer Nick Havrilla, Sr. share photos of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist’s Flag Day celebration. A solemn ceremony was conducted after the Sunday morning Divine Liturgy on June 14. The program opened with a poem read by Greek Catholic Union (GCU) Lodge #2 President Andrea Harhai. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by the Cathedral’s youthful altar servers, followed by Cantor George Janocsko leading all in attendance in a heartfelt rendition of “America the Beautiful.” All retired afterward to a GCU-sponsored coffee social under the church.
UPPER ST. CLAIR, PA — Following the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 14, a patriotic procession was formed by the Altar servers and parish children of St. Gregory Church, who led the parish faithful to the front of the church for the 2015 Flag Day Celebration. As part of the observance, a series of prayers were offered for our “one nation under God,” led by parish pastor Father Valerian Michlik. Following the ceremony, the group gathered in the church social hall for an all-American ice cream party, sponsored by the Greek Catholic Union Lodge #52.
St. Gregory’s photos by Marjan Michlik
Yankee Doodle sweethearts Andrea Harhai, Joan Bodnar, Patty Bovee, Kristine Janocsko, Agnes Borsh.
the byzantine catholic world
PAGE 8
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
Sweet retreat young adults connect at house of prayer
WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES 2015 PHILADELPHIA http://www.worldmeeting2015.org/
A Young Adult Catholic Retreat was held at the House of Prayer at the end of May. Father Will Rupp of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Hawk Run, Pa., Kevin Barry, a Youth Minister of the Diocese of Greensburg/ Connellsville Area Roman Catholic Churches, and Rachel Pawluszka, a Byzantine Catholic student at Drexel University, Philadelphia, directed the weekend program together with Sister Barbara Jean, OSBM. Father Bob Lubic, Pastor, Connellsville Area Catholic Churches, was a guest presenter. Most attendees came from Byzantine Catholic parishes in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The theme was “The Call to Discipleship” according to Pope Francis’ document, “The Joy of the Gospel.” Each participant received a copy of the Pope’s apostolic exhortation as well as an examination of conscience based on the teachings of the
document. Conferences, small and large group discussions, social and free time, liturgical services and confessions formed the schedule. The retreatants joined the Sisters of St. Basil at the monastery for Sunday’s Divine Liturgy. Evaluations were very positive; the group requests another retreat weekend next year and plans to bring other young adults to experience a retreat at the Mount. For more info, please call the House of prayer at 724-438-7149.
THE SISTERS OF ST. BASIL NEED YOU! WHEN: Saturday, August 22 – 9:30 am WHAT:
“Pilgrimage Prep Day”
WHY:
In preparation for 2015 Pilgrimage
WHERE: Mount St. Macrina - Trinity Center WHO:
Everyone who loves to help!
Call 724-438-7149 for more information on how you may help beautify the grounds of The Mount for Pilgrimage 2015!
the byzantine catholic world
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
110 years
PAGE
continued from page 1
William C. Skurla as he celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy that afternoon. The traditional welcome of the Metropolitan by Father Kevin included the presentation of bread, key, and salt, presented by 2015 parish graduates Brianna Dzuricsko, Anna Zrile and Kurtis Kurtanich, respectively. Liturgical concelebrants were: Rev. Kevin E. Marks, Pastor; Rev. Nicholas Kraynak (Eparchy of Passaic, retired), Msgr. Edward Zeitler (Senior Associate at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church in Hermitage), Deacon Thomas Klacik (parish administrator of St. George, Aliquippa and St. Mary, Ambridge, both in Pa.) and Deacon George Dzuricsko (former parishioner, now deacon for the Romanian Eparchy of Canton). Master of Ceremonies was Very Rev. Andrew J. Deskevich (Protosyncellus for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh). St. Michael’s altar servers assisted at the liturgy; responses were sung by the Archieparchial Choir. In his homily, Metropolitan William fittingly stressed the importance of “fishing for people” - that we all are called to share the gospel and be witnesses to Jesus Christ and bring people into his Church.
Following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, a banquet was held at the parish social center. Welcoming attendees was Toastmaster Mrs. Kathie Sherman; a festive toast then was given by Very Rev. Richard Lambert, protopresbyter of the Youngstown deanery. A brief program before dinner included a history of the church related by Mrs. Monica Walls; a rose was given by the parish ECF students to all parishioners over the age of 80; finally, a special presentation (pictured below) of a hand painted portrait created by parishioner Mary J. Bebech was made to Metropolitan William, who
9
Concelebrating clergy (back, from left): Deacon Thomas Klacik, Father Nicholas Kraynak, Father Andrew Deskevich, Archbishop William, Father Kevin Marks, Deacon George Dzuricsko, and Monsignor Edward Zeitler join the altar servers of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Hermitage, Pa. for a commemorative photo following the June 7 Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in celebration of the 110th anniversary of the parish’s founding. photos by Michael J. Vasil
2015 parish draduates Anna Zrile, Kurtis Kurtanich and Brianna Dzuricsko presented Metropolitan William with the traditional salt, key, and bread.
along with parish vocation and current pastor Father Kevin, delivered remarks. Following the invocation by Father Andrew, parishioners and guests enjoyed a delicious dinner while listening to the tunes of the Rocco Monaco Band. Commemorative 110th anniversary mugs were gifted to all who attended.
Patrons of St. Michael’s 110th anniversary celebration enjoy conversation and live music by Rocco Monaco as they await dinner, prepared by Mrs. Annette Hospodar and staff.
the byzantine catholic world
PAGE 10
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
thoughts for our day by Archpriest David M. Petras
WHO IS GOD?
part three
That God is has meaning for our faith in resurrection. God is not some distant clock-maker, but the intimate Giver of Life, for “it is the spirit that gives life” (John 6:63). This title is one of the most frequently used in the Liturgy of the Church. Our experience of God is rooted in our experience that we exist. We are here because God has brought us into existence and sustains us in being. We profess that twice in the Divine Liturgy, in the Prayer of the Trisagion, “Holy God ... you brought all things from nonexistence into being,” and in the Anaphora itself, “You brought us out of nonexistence into being.” Because of this, we can have hope in the Resurrection, “[Moses] called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive” (Luke 20:37-38). The most ardent monotheists, the ancient Jews knew this: “You are mighty, humiliating the proud; strong, judging the ruthless; you live forevermore, and raise the dead; you make the wind to return and the dew to fall; you nourish the living, and bring the dead to life; you bring forth salvation for us in the blinking of an eye. Blessed are you, O Lord, who bring the dead to life.” God is unity. This is why it is so crucial to confess the oneness of God. God is not “dispersed” in space and time, but is the one ground from which all being exists, explaining our hope for “being in God.” Jesus taught: “I pray not only for them (the disciples), but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all
be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. And I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one, that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me” (John 17:20-23).
We are here because God has brought us into existence and sustains us in being. This helps also to explain the nature of our consciousness and the possibility of deification, we find our center in the one God, who is closer to us than we are to ourselves. Why, one might ask, if we are truly in the image and likeness of God, did he not create us immediately immortal? The human condition is that we are, indeed, intelligent, free, conscious creatures. We can measure the universe in which we live and reason to and praise its Creator. This is a kind of an ascension. From the dust of the earth, to a living creature, to a sentient, worshipping creature of faith and hope, to eventually a divine creature. St. Paul understood this, when he said that what is corruptible must become incorruptible, what is natural must become spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:44). He concludes: “Just as we have borne the image of the earthly one, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly one”
95th Annual Byzantine Catholic Family Day at Kennywood Park! Thursday, July 23 10:30 a.m. Park Opens 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Adult’s Registration - Pavilion #5. Adults ages 18+ register to win one of several $25 gift cards.
11:30 a.m. Program: I. Prayer Service; II. Slavjane Ensemble Performs
(1 Corinthians 15:49). We should not see his contrast natural-spiritual according to a certain present-day category. He does not mean body-soul. St. Paul was Jewish, he did not think in dualistic terms. “Natural” or “psychicon” meant the whole human being, but in this mortal life. “Spiritual” likewise meant the whole human being, but not a disembodied soul, but in a risen, glorious body. Ancient Jewish categories were not Greek, but also not so simple. There was a concept of “life after death” and some continuous existence between physical death and “spiritual” resurrection, but the human being could not be complete until the body was restored. There will be a “new creation,” but we must pass through the door of the mortal body. The process is the same for us as for Jesus: conception, birth, death, resurrection, ascension. But if we do not pass through a mortal life, then there is not a human creature that is deified. On Mt. Sinai, when Moses asked to see God, he was told, “no one can see me and live” (Exodus 33:20), and St. John wrote, “No one has ever seen God” (1 John 4:12). We can “see” God only when we have passed through death. Our mortal lives are “book-ended” by nothingness before conception and eternal life after death. They are a thin line between two infinities. The Liturgy tells us, “Our life vanishes like smoke; like ash and dust, it exists for an instant, then quickly disappears” (Aposticheron, Tone 3, Saturday Matins). This does not mean that our earthly lives are insignificant. In fact, if we believe in the Resurrection, then each moment of our lives are a foreshadowing of eternity. Only when we do not believe, then life becomes
insignificant and meaningless. Ultimately, this is why the Church condemned the idea of a pre-existence of souls as a heresy (Second Council of Constantinople, 553). If that were so, then the human person would be essentially a soul, which descends for a while into a body and then returns to spiritual existence. The human person in its completeness has a spiritual and bodily existence necessary to its nature. Our mortal lives are not a detour from eternity but a necessary step in the process. No one comes back from the dead. It is clear that this “journey” is made but once and in one direction. No one can tell us of ‘life after death,” because we can understand it only by dying ourselves. Likewise we cannot understand the inner nature of God, for to do this, we would have to be God by nature. St. Gregory the Theologian once said that it is insanity to inquire into the inner life of the Trinity. Likewise, a ‘life after death,” is incomprehensible to one who is alive. In the parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man, Father Abraham refuses to send Lazarus back ro warn the rich man’s brothers about Gehenna. This was not out of uncharity, but simply because it would be futile: “If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead” (Luke 16:31). There was one resurrection that did change the world profoundly: the resurrection of Christ. Jesus said, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights” (Matthew 12:39-40).
See your pastor or download order form at http://www.gcuusa.com/PDF/KW-OrderForm15.pdf Payment must accompany ticket order! 12:30 p.m. Lunch Buffet - Pavilion #1 (optional, must have prepaid ticket) 1:00 p.m. Children’s Games with Prizes on the Lawn - Pavilion #5 2:00 p.m. Free Bingo with Prizes - Pavilion #1 NOTE: Deadline to purchase discounted tickets is Monday, July 13 Discounted tickets will not be available at the park.
the byzantine catholic world
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
PAGE 11
The Carpatho-Rusyns of Pennsylvania blog documents project to publish history of state’s rusyn immigrant communities by Richard D. Custer
Carpatho-Rusyns are one of the major ethnic groups of Pennsylvania. They have left an indelible mark on the state with their unique churches, rich cultural traditions, and devotion to their roots. Carpatho-Rusyns began to settle in the anthracite coal mining districts of northeastern Pennsylvania in the late 1870s. Small towns and burgeoning cities like Shenandoah, Freeland, Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Mahanoy City, McAdoo, Centralia, Nesquehoning, Lansford, Hazleton, Kingston, WilkesBarre, Plymouth, Scranton, and Olyphant were among the first places these immigrants first found work and made their homes. There they built churches, established fraternal insurance societies and social clubs, founded small businesses, met their spouses, raised children, and buried their deceased. In the decades that followed, Carpatho-Rusyn immigrant communities sprang up in central Pennsylvania (primarily in Centre, Clearfield, Indiana, and Cambria Counties) and in the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Allentown areas. By 1900, there were Rusyn immigrant settlements in at least 25 counties and these communities numbered in the hundreds. In the decade 1910-1920, 54% of Carpatho-Rusyns in the United States lived in Pennsylvania. A far larger number of the total had lived in Pennsylvania at one point but later moved to other states. While they found work in the early years as anthracite coal miners or on railroad lines, in the
Magliano
Pittsburgh area and throughout southwestern Pennsylvania the steel industry, supported by bituminous coal mines and coke ovens, provided a livelihood for tens of thousands of Rusyn immigrants. The Lehigh Valley drew Rusyn immigrants with employment in factories, steel mills, and the cement and slate industries. Johnstown’s steel mills and extensive nearby bituminous coal mining operations gave rise to dozens of CarpathoRusyn communities across west central Pennsylvania, and the industrial plants of Erie led thousands more Rusyn immigrants to northwestern Pennsylvania, where others worked in the oil or timber industries or established farms much as they had known back in their European homeland villages. In every place there were businessmen and businesswomen among their ranks: undertakers, hoteliers, shopkeepers, saloon owners, beer distributors, midwives, boarding house owners, even bankers and travel agents. In the 1990s I began a project that continues to the present day that will tell the story of these people. The ultimate goal of the project is to publish a comprehensive illustrated history, in book form, of all the Carpatho-Rusyn immigrant communities and their churches, fraternal lodges, social clubs, and businesses in the state. I invite you to follow the progress of this project on my blog, rusynsofpa.blogspot.com, where you also will find interesting articles about topics
Congregation of St. Stephen Greek Catholic Church, Leisenring, Fayette Co., ca. 1898 (source: Greek Catholic Union almanac 1899)
like researching the immigrants’ villages of origin within these communities, the “who are we?” debates within communities, the role of oral histories, and some summaries of presentations I’ve made at genealogical conferences about the development of these communities in different regions. The blog also contains some lists of books or photographs which I have not been able to
locate. Any help you might offer on these missing items would be most appreciated. The author is a founder of the Carpatho-Rusyn Society (C-RS) and is the editor of its newsletter ‘The New Rusyn Times’ since it began in 1994. Custer attends Epiphany of Our Lord parish in Annandale, Va. Contact him at rusynsofpa@gmail.com.
continued from page 2
their symptoms, simply making efforts to reduce some of the negative impacts of climate change.” Francis writes that in political and economic discussions the poor seem to be brought up as an afterthought. “Indeed, when all is said and done, they frequently remain at the bottom of the pile … “Today, however, we have to realize that a true ecological approach always becomes a social approach; it must integrate questions of justice in debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.”
The Church “must above all protect mankind from selfdestruction.” The Holy Father sees the environmental problem as part of a much larger, more serious problem: Our failure to consistently recognize the truth that everyone and everything is interconnected. He explains, “When we fail to acknowledge as part of reality the worth of a poor person, a human embryo, a person with disabilities – to offer just a few examples – it becomes difficult to hear the cry of nature itself; everything is connected.”
However, because we continue to ignore the vital necessity of nurturing this interconnectedness, the ecological, social and spiritual web is tearing. But if we care at all, we still have a little time to mend the tears. For anyone interested in being a part of the solution, “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home” is a mustread! Tony Magliano is an internationally syndicated social justice and peace columnist.
the byzantine catholic world
. . . WEB LINKS . . . Additional resources, stories and reading about what some Catholic organizations are doing related to the encyclical and environmental stewardship: USCCB www.usccb.org/environment Catholic Relief Services http://www.crs.org/popefrancis-climate/ Catholic Climate Covenant http://www. catholicclimatecovenant.org/
PAGE 12
SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2015
around the archeparchy July St. Elias Church - Munhall, Pa.
Infant Jesus of Prague Church
EVENT: Parish Festival DATES: July 10-11-12 Fri.: 5 pm Sat. 4 pm Sun. Noon INFO: Patty Monahan 412-462-9188 Kelley Conley 412-461-1884 Each day: homemade ethnic foods & baked goods, games of chance, kids zone, “Chinese” auction. Friday 7/10 opens at 5:00 pm: Car cruise, music by Silver Sky Duo, fish sandwiches. Saturday 7/11 opens at 4:00 pm: Entertainment by Gabby Barrett, Bill Ali Band, FIREWORKS at 9:30 pm. Sunday 7/12: Entertainment by Frank Powaski Polka Show (live broadcast), Slavjane Folk Ensemble performance, Andy Fenus & the TrelTones.
Boardman, OH AND
SS. Peter and Paul Church Portage, PA EVENT: Parish Festival DATE: Sun. July 12 TIME: 12:00 noon - 8:00 pm INFO: Rev. James Spontak 814-736-9780 Lori Murphy 814-421-2639 w w w. B y z a n t i n e C a t h o l i c . n e t Annual Ethnic Festival with homemade ethnic foods, games of chance, raffle, BINGO, children’s games & activities tent; bake sale; basket raffle and much more. LIVE music by “Swing City”— Noon to 3:30 pm and “Full Kilt”— 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
St. Nicholas Church Youngstown, OH EVENT: Joint Parish Picnic* DATE: Wed. July 15 TIME: 6:00 pm INFO: Elaine Chacko 330-755-6243 Ken Litwin 330-757-3089
ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST BUFFET sponsored by St. Mary’s Youth Group, St. Mary’s Center, Route 981 in Trauger, Pa. Sunday, July 12. Hours 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Adults $6; Children (ages 5-10) $3; ages 4 & under FREE. ICON WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS July 16-19, St. Mary Romanian Catholic Church in McKeesport, Pa. All levels of experience. Classes are Thursday eve, Friday and Saturday all day and Sunday, noon until finishing; opportunity to attend liturgy Sunday morning at 11. Must be able to attend all four days to have a completed icon. Participants will write a 10” x 12” icon of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Participants from three or more of previous workshops may elect to create an icon of their choice. Fee of $125 will cover all supplies. Snacks, coffee and tea provided on all days. A deposit of $25 is required; class limited to 20 people. For further information, call Marylyn Barone at 412-678-9453 or email her at mwbarone@comcast.net.
Also see “Parish Picnics & Festivals” listings (left) and other events on page 8.
August St. Michael Church Campbell, Ohio EVENT: Parish Picnic* DATE: Sun. Aug. 16 TIME: 12:00 noon - 5:00 pm INFO: Rev. Kevin Marks 330-755-4831 Annette Hospodar 330-540-4334 Ethnic foods and music, games for kids and adults!
Vacationing in Myrtle Beach this summer?
Blessed Basil Hopko Byzantine Catholic Mission welcomes you! Divine Liturgies will be celebrated on the following Sundays at 10:00 a.m. July: 12, 19, 26 and August: 2, 9, 16 The Byzantine Catholic Mission is located at 3059 Highway 90, Conway/Myrtle Beach, SC 29526.
* PLEASE NOTE * “Parish PICNIC” = parish-only “Parish FESTIVAL” = open to the public Listings provided by pastors/churches of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.
For additional info contact: Don and Jean Wirth at 843-249-9502 or Father Conan Timoney at 410-302-6996. Blessed Basil Hopko Mission is part of the Eparchy of Passaic.
DIVINE LITURGY View Byzantine liturgical services (various times) streamed LIVE ONLINE
Official publication of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh
Byzantine Catholic Press Associates 66 Riverview Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15214 Tel: 412.231.4000 Fax: 412.231.1697 E-mail: bcw@archpitt.org Web site: www.archpitt.org
next issue date: JULY 26
submissions deadline: JULY 14
dates to remember july 23 Byzantine Catholic Family Day Kennywood Park - West Mifflin, Pa. CHANCERY CLOSED
august 15 Feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos
august 20 ‘Faith & Fun Day’ for Archieparchial Altar Servers
august 22 Workshop for ECF Catechists and Interested Adults St. John the Baptist Cathedral - Munhall, Pa. ‘Pilgrimage Prep Day’ - Mount St. Macrina - Uniontown, Pa.
september 5 & 6 Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Mount St. Macrina - Uniontown, Pa.
september 7 Labor Day - national observance CHANCERY CLOSED See more upcoming events and details at www.archpitt.org Also, see “Parish Picnics & Festivals” above
the byzantine catholic world
St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Munhall, Pa. www.stjohnsbyzantinecathedral.com Holy Ghost Church, McKees Rocks, Pa. www.holyghost-byzantinecatholic.org St. John Chrysostom Church, Pittsburgh, Pa. www.sjcbcc.com